Feral dogs,(Canis familiaris),scavenge ungulate carcasses at animal waste dump in Rajasthan,India,in absence of Gyps vultures.

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The loss of tens of millions of vultures over the last decade has had major ecological consequences across the Indian Subcontinent that pose a potential threat to human health. In many places, populations of feral dogs (Canis familiaris) have increased sharply from the disappearance of Gyps vultures as the main scavenger of wild and domestic ungulate carcasses. In this picture the gyps vultures are conspicuous by their absence. Associated with the rise in dog numbers is an increased risk of rabies and casualties of almost 50,000 people.

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Size: 5183px × 3507px
Location: Rajasthan, India
Photo credit: © Dominic Robinson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, animals, carcass, carcasses, corvid, corvids, crows, decline, diclofenac, dog, dogs, dump, feral, gyps, history, house, india, natural, nature, population, rabid, rabies, rajasthan, scavengers, scavenging, undulate, vulture, vultures, waste, wildlife